How to price a detailing job
- Time each package. Track a few real jobs of each type — maintenance wash, full interior and exterior, paint correction — for a typical car, and separately for larger vehicles.
- Labour cost. Hours per vehicle × what an hour costs you (pay plus payroll costs, or the hourly pay you want if you work alone). Two detailers halve the time on site, not the labour hours.
- Products. Chemicals, pads, towels and dressings used per vehicle, plus any add-on product such as a coating.
- Travel. For mobile work: fuel, water and power per appointment.
- Price to margin. Price = direct cost ÷ (1 − target margin). Sales tax goes on top.
Worked example (sample figures)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Labour: 2 vehicles × 3 h × $25 | $150 |
| Products: 2 × $15 | $30 |
| Travel (once per appointment) | $10 |
| Direct cost | $190 |
| Price at 50% margin: $190 ÷ 0.50 | $380 ($190 per vehicle) |
| Estimated gross profit | $190 |
These figures illustrate the method — they aren't market rates for your area. Gross profit is before overhead (van, equipment, insurance, unbilled time) and before income tax.
Packages, add-ons and condition
Keep packages simple and priced from time. Put add-ons — pet hair, odour treatment, headlight restoration, coatings — on their own lines so the customer sees what they're paying for. For vehicles in unusual condition, inspect first and state on the quote what might not come out, such as deep scratches or old stains.
Checking a price a customer suggested? Use Price first mode in the profit margin calculator.
Common questions
How do I price an auto detailing job?
Time each package you offer, multiply the hours by your labour cost per hour, add products used per vehicle, any add-on costs and travel for mobile work, then price the direct cost to your target margin: price = direct cost ÷ (1 − margin).
Should I charge more for SUVs, trucks or very dirty vehicles?
Price from time. Larger or heavily soiled vehicles take longer and use more product, so time them and quote them as their own package or with a clearly stated surcharge, rather than guessing.
How do I quote a fleet or multiple vehicles?
Multiply the per-vehicle time and products by the number of vehicles, add travel once per appointment, and price to your margin. Show the per-vehicle price and the job total so the customer sees both.
What should a detailing quote include?
Vehicle details, the package and each add-on, what is excluded (for example deep scratches or stain removal that may not come out), appointment time and location, water and power requirements for mobile work, payment terms, subtotal, tax and total.